9 to 5 Tour Review - Dayton, OH 2/6/11 (2pm)

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 2/6/11 at 10:15pm

Just got back from the tour of 9 to 5 in Dayton, OH. I must say I was trepidatious, knowing that a LOT of changes had been made from the Broadway version of the show (which I ADORED!!!) Almost ALL of the changes worked to make this a much better and tighter show and I couldn't have been more thrilled!

The Dolly Parton narration (which has been described at length elsewhere) was cute, and while not highly necessary, I can see why they would include it for the American tour market masses. And it didn't really bother me so it was all right.

Jeff Calhoun's choreography was leaps and bounds better than the original Broadway. He used the dance to help tell the story, which I never felt Blankenbeuhler (sp?) did. His use of the desk top office equipment in a couple of the numbers was fun! The sets worked well and served the show perfectly, the only exception being the giant copy machine which looked a little phony and cheap (especially in Judy's fantasy sequence). The costumes were pretty much the same as Broadway with only a few alterations here and there.

I was glad to see Hart's second act number cut as I never liked the number (although I personally still miss "Mundania" from LA). I liked the new staging of the three fantasy sequences but missed the fairy tale costume on Violet. (And perv that I am I missed the erection joke in the opening number.) Altogether the show had a more streamlined flow to it.

Dee Hoty was perfection as Violet. She didn't hit a single wrong note (musically or otherwise). Mamie Parris was very good as Judy (although just like Stephanie Block looked way too young to be described by Hart as someone with "a little tread off her tires.") Her "Get Out" was sublimely sung, I just could have used a wee bit more emotional build (and for Hart to not have been hanging on stage through 2/3 of the song.) Diana DeGarmo was not right for Doralee at all. She looked FAR too young compared to eveyone else (making Hart into an almost pedophilic villain!) and her squeaky voice and uneven accent were distracting. Her singing was (of course) top notch.

Joseph Mahowald was insanely great as Hart balaning smarmy and self satisfied perfectly. Kristine Zbornik was servicable as Roz (but I definately missed Kathy Fitzgerald!!!!). The ensemble was EXCELLENT with one amazing stand out being Jane Blass as the office drunk, Margaret!!!

All in all I had an amazing time and wished I'd had the money and time to return to the evening performance and do it all again.

[grandpianoalex]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 12:26am

That is great. I'm seeing it in St. Louis in two weeks and cannot wait. Did you get a look at the merch booth? What all did they have?

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 10:09am

They had 9 to 5 CDs, Dolly Cds, DeGarmo CD singles, various shirts, key chains, mugs, steno pads (cute!), magnets, and HIDEOUS!!!!!!! posters. NO souvenir programs (sad)! I ususally get a program and a poster from almost anything I see, but with no programs and the posters being truly ugle I just got a magnet and was done with it. Loving the show as much as I did made me even sadder about the lack of programs, too.

[wrightstateboy45]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 3:23pm

I saw this show as well here in Dayton at the Friday 2/4/11 show! My friends and I sat in the second row and had a good time. If you like serious theatre with alot of substance this is not the show for you. If you just want a good time with an energetic cast and just have lots of fun you will love this show! First off the only beef I had was the sets...you could tell they REALLY scaled down the show and the sets did look rather cheap. Putting that aside the cast was exceptional! The ensemble was extremely strong, and the orchestra was phenomenal as well!! Dee Hoty nailed Violet and has such a killer voice...especially in One of the Boys! She takes the note up at the end and is just marvelous...her acting is also spot on. Diana DeGarmo as Doralee did a good job, I just found her character to be rather annoying the way she performed the part. She seemed a little sick, but her vocals were pretty solid and wonderful! Lastly Mamie Parris as Judy was the highlight of the show for me. From the opening number her voice rang out with such pure clarity and she hit all the right emotions and acting chops that needed to be executed! Her "Get Out and Stay Out" was absolutely MIND BLOWING! Now i'm a very rock hard Stephanie J. Block fan...but Miss Parris just knocks this song out of the ballpark...she even held out the second note out longer than Steph and threw in some great riffs! I was legit on the edge of my seat!! You cold also here her belting throughout the entire show and does she have a voice! Great show i'd definitely recommend it!

[ABoyLikeThat]

Posted: 2/7/11 at 8:03pm

The Dayton critic thought the tour was better than the Broadway version.


http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/performing-arts-theater/%E2%80%989-to-5%E2%80%99-thrives-on-nostalgia.html Updated On: 2/7/11 at 08:03 PM

[grandpianoalex]

Posted: 2/20/11 at 11:23pm

I saw the tour yesterday in St. Louis.

I felt that the direction of the tour made the show more about Doralee than it did Judy, like the Broadway production.

Dee Hoty. Yes. Perfection. It was weird to hear this role SUNG by someone who can really sing. "One Of The Boys" was a showstopper. I had Ashley Moniz on for Judy. (She said after that this was her second time going on.) She was great! Her belt is crisp, and clear. "Get Out and Stay Out" was phenomenal. Diana as adorable as Doralee. I never get choked up during "Backwoods Barbie," but as soon as she pulled the sandwich out of her purse to eat alone, I lost it. There was so much emotion in that song that I hadn't seen before. Diana's belt is top notch. It was great to hear her belting stuff that Megan mixed.

I loved the show.

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 2/21/11 at 10:31am

'I never get choked up during "Backwoods Barbie," but as soon as she pulled the sandwich out of her purse to eat alone'
I love that addition to the number.

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 2/21/11 at 9:05pm

Seeing this on Thursday. I saw it in LA. I'm excited to have a Violet who can sing! I skip that song when it comes along on the CD. Megan was so good, but I will keep an open mind about Diana.